[[quoteright:300:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Bill_Murray-RS_428_August_16_1984_9921.jpg]]->''Bill Murray, the ''SNL'' stand-out, the Ghostbuster, the weatherman who shouldn't forget his booties because it's ''cooooold'' out there today, who became the world's favorite uncle. The huggable hangdog with a twinkle in his eye that could start the next big bang. In recent years, he took on another face, morphing from a movie star into a puckish figure, randomly interjecting himself into the days of regular people like us; scene-stealing cameos in the poorly-reviewed, repetitively-structured films of our lives.''-->--'''Stuart Millard''', ''The Legend of Bill Murray''

'''William James Murray''' (born September 21, 1950) is an American actor and comedian. From growing up in the UsefulNotes/{{Chicago}} satellite community of Wilmette, Illinois, he gained national exposure on ''Series/SaturdayNightLive'' after Chevy Chase left in the middle of season two and LorneMichaels hired Murray as Chase's replacement. Though he is now considered one of the best cast members ''SNL'' has ever had, Murray was originally dismissed by fans as a weak replacement for Chevy Chase. When Chevy Chase came back to host on the show's third season, he and Murray got into a vicious fight backstage. When Chase came back to host during the show's fifth season, the two did a monologue together showing that all was forgiven. Among his most popular characters on the show was singing LoungeLizard Nick Winters with his most famous sketch the one where he sings the ''Franchise/StarWars'' theme with added lyrics: ''Star Wars … nothing but Star Wars …''

Murray went on to star in a number of critically and commercially successful comedic films including ''Film/{{Stripes}}'', ''Film/{{Tootsie}}'', ''Film/{{Meatballs}}'', ''Film/{{Caddyshack}}'', both ''Film/{{Ghostbusters}}'', and ''Film/GroundhogDay''.

He gained additional critical acclaim later in his career, starring in ''Film/LostInTranslation'', for which he was nominated for an AcademyAward, and a series of films directed by Creator/WesAnderson, including ''{{Rushmore}}'', ''TheRoyalTenenbaums'', ''TheLifeAquaticWithSteveZissou'', ''WesternAnimation/FantasticMrFox'' and ''Film/MoonriseKingdom''. He is widely regarded as one of the most talented and unique comedic actors of his generation. His brother, Creator/BrianDoyleMurray, was also a ''Series/SaturdayNightLive'' cast member and was in a few movies with his brother.

Has developed a habit in his golden years of resurfacing in the strangest places. May or may not be a shape-shifting coyote {{trickster god}}.----

!!'''This actor contains examples of:'''* AdamWesting: In ''Film/SpaceJam'', ''Film/{{Zombieland}}'' and ''Film/{{Coffee and Cigarettes}}''.* CoolOldGuy: There's a [[http://www.billmurraystory.com/ whole site]] of stories. Also, his role in ''Film/{{Zombieland}}''-->'''Tallahassee:''' Six people left in the world, and one of them is '''''[[TheKnightsWhoSaySquee Bill fuckin' Murray!]]'''''* DeadpanSnarker: All his movies but most notable are ''Film/{{Caddyshack}}'' and ''Film/GroundhogDay''. Creator/ComedyCentral even named him number one in their special "Mouthing Off: The Fifty-One Greatest Smart-Asses Of All Time".* {{Improv}}: Known to ad-lib his way through most of his movies. In fact, there are several, such as ''Film/LittleShopOfHorrors'', ''{{Kingpin}}'', and ''Film/SpaceJam'' where all his dialogue is completely ad-libbed.-->"That is one ''[[{{Film/Tootsie}} nutty]]'' hospital!"* MyGreatestFailure: After the phenomenal success of ''Film/{{Ghostbusters}}'', Murray used his clout to bring a pet project to fruition, playing the main character in a [[TheFilmOfTheBook film adaptation]] of Creator/WSomersetMaugham's philosophical novel ''The Razor's Edge''. However, mainstream audiences weren't ready to see funnyman Murray grapple with existential questions of life. The film tanked, and Murray was so disappointed that he quit acting temporarily to study at the Sorbonne, appearing in only one movie in the next four years.* ProductionPosse: He's formed many creative relationships over the years, particularly with Creator/HaroldRamis, Creator/JimJarmusch, Creator/WesAnderson and Creator/IvanReitman.* RaisedCatholic* SadClown: The role he tends to play more often in later life, particularly in Creator/WesAnderson films like ''{{Film/Rushmore}}'' and ''Film/TheLifeAquatic''. * WeUsedToBeFriends: His friendship with Creator/HaroldRamis fell apart after making ''Film/GroundhogDay'' because each had different thoughts of what the movie should be like. Happily, they reconciled shortly before Ramis' passing in 2014.** At the 2014 Academy Awards a week after his death, Murray presented the award for Best Cinematography with AmyAdams. After saying the nominees and before announcing the winner, Murray went off script (as is his ''oeuvre'') and said, "Oh, we forgot one. Harold Ramis. For ''Film/{{Caddyshack}}'', ''Film/{{Ghostbusters}}'' and ''Film/GroundhogDay''." [[CrowningMomentOfHeartwarming The audience at the ceremony applauded.]]------